The date has been confirmed; on Friday 7th November we find out if the Colchester Soundhouse is to remain open, so this is your last chance to help!

Further to our last article stating the plight facing The Soundhouse, things have progressed significantly and it is now make or break. As one of the last full-time music venues in Essex it would be a massive blow to lose the Soundhouse. It is one of the few venues that gives emerging local bands the break they need to play live. As well as our own Drownedinsound gigs which were hosted there, other more local sites such as the13th.com and Essexmetalscene.com were given the chance to put on bands and make a difference.

We received the following mail from Sean Hudson, the owner of the venue making this plea to everyone :-

"We finally have our Crown Court date which is this Friday to see if we can over turn the magistrates decision to transfer the licence into my name. If this appeal fails, The Soundhouse will close this Friday 7th, meaning the end to a full-time music venue in Essex. Legal fees now stand at £7,500.
If you havent signed the petition yet please do so now at www.soundhouse.f9.co.uk
Fingers crossed!"

Please, anyone who loves live music go to the site and sign the petition before it is too late. The threat to the Soundhaus comes hard on the heels of a similar threat being faced by London's excellent Betsey Trotwood venue, details of which are here.